ut it as long as my
husband stood by me. What is it after all? People say that you and
Margaret are the Lion and the Lamb. What's the harm of being called a
lamb or a lion either? As long as people are not made to believe that
you have behaved badly, that you have been false or cruel, I can't
see that it comes to much. One does not, of course, wish to have
newspaper articles written about one."

"No, indeed."

"But they can't break your bones, nor can they make the world think
you dishonest, as long as you take care that you are honest. Now, in
this matter, I take it for granted that you and Margaret are going to
make a match of it--"

"Has she told you so?"

Mrs Mackenzie paused a moment to collect her thoughts before she
answered; but it was only for a moment, and Sir John Ball hardly
perceived that she had ceased to speak.

"No," she said; "she has not told me so. But I have told her that it
must be so."

"And she does not wish it?"

"Do you want me to tell a lady's secret? But in such a case as
this the truth is always the best. She does wish it, with all her
heart,--as much as any woman ever wished for anything. You need have
no doubt about her loving you."

"Of course, Mrs Mackenzie, I should take care in any case that she
were provided for amply. If a single life will suit her best, she
shall have half of all that she ever thought to be her own."

"And do you wish it to be so?"

"I have not said that, Mrs Mackenzie. But it may be that I should
wish her to have the choice fairly in her own power."

"Then I can tell you at once which she would choose. Your offer is
very generous. It is more than generous. But, Sir John, a single life
will not suit her; and my belief is, that were you to offer her the
money without your hand, she would not take a farthing of it."

"She must have some provision."

"She will take none from you but the one, and you need be under no
doubt whatsoever that she will take that without a moment's doubt as
to her own future happiness. And, Sir John, I think you would have
the best wife that I know anywhere among my acquaintance." Then she
stopped, and he sat silent, making no reply. "Shall I send to her
now?" said Mrs Mackenzie.

"I suppose you might as well," said Sir John.

Then Mrs Mackenzie got up and left the room, but she did not herself
go up to her cousin. She felt that she could not see Margaret without
saying something of what had passed between herself and Sir